Diabetes clinics in Doddaballapur Road, Bangalore • Factors that affect LDL levels Factors that increase LDL levels Factors that decrease LDL levels 1 High intake of saturated fat 2 High intake of dietary cholesterol (less important than saturated fat intake) 3 Diuretics 4 Cyclosporine 5 Some progestogens 6 Secondary causes: anorexia nervosa, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, porphyria, primary biliary cirrhosis 1 High intake of omega-3 fatty acids (fish, olive oil, canola) 2 High intake of soluble dietary fibres (legumes) 3 High intake of dietary anti-oxidant nutrients (oxidation may make existing LDL more atherogenic)